Poppy Smith is just six-years-old but has been forced to fight for her life after being diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)

Diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), the school girl’s condition deteriorated with the virus causing her spinal cord to swell and leading to painful nerve damage.

Struck down with the initial symptoms on September 21, the little girl was soon unable to swallow, move her upper limbs or even breathe for herself – forced into intensive care for almost two months.

Doctors have now said they believe the little girl’s condition was caused by a rare reaction to the AFM virus – making her only the second person in Scotland to have that reaction.

It sometimes takes us an hour to figure out a few words so that’s really difficult.. but on the inside, she’s still Poppy.

Laura SmithMum of Poppy

Mum Laura Smith told The Daily Record: “One of the most difficult things for us is that from the beginning, the doctors have been fantastic but they have been very open about the fact they just don’t know the answers to ours questions.

“The best we can do for Poppy is give her time, support her with the condition she’s got and hope that her body recovers. They said she will be in hospital for at least 12 months.”

The 36-year-old said her little girl, from East Lothian, was in so much pain that she even found hugs excruciating.

Poppy, who had been learning how to master cartwheels before her diagnosis, has also been left reliant on a ventilator.

RELATED STORIES

‘BULLIES’

Rangers fan caught up in fight at Benidorm pub as bouncers punch and kick punters

instafan

Dundee student haunted by 'stalker' lookalike who copies her social media post

Writing about Poppy’s bravery, friends said: “Her brain is completely unaffected so Poppy understands everything that is happening but is unable to speak as her voice is absent due to a combination of the AFM & endotracheal tube, her communication is reliant on her parents ability to lip read.

“However, Poppy is alive, still smiling & is a courageous, brave, bright & strong little girl with a life ahead.

“Recovery is uncertain but she will require long-term home ventilation, 24 hour care, adaptations to her home to enable wheelchair access, hoists & other equipment.”

It is now hoped the artistic youngster will be able to use eye gaze technology that will let her communicate with her eyes.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368